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Miss Mackenzie
In "Miss Mackenzie" Trollope made a deliberate attempt "to prove that a novel may be produced without any love," but as he candidly admits in his "Autobiography," the attempt "breaks down before the conclusion."
In taking for his heroine an middle-aged spinster, his contemporaries of writing about young girls in love. Instead he depicts Margaret Mackenzie, overwhelmed with money troubles, as she tries to assess the worth and motives of four very different suitors.
Although her creator calls her "unattractive," most readers will warm to Miss Mackenzie and admire her modesty, dignity, and shrewdness.
In taking for his heroine an middle-aged spinster, his contemporaries of writing about young girls in love. Instead he depicts Margaret Mackenzie, overwhelmed with money troubles, as she tries to assess the worth and motives of four very different suitors.
Although her creator calls her "unattractive," most readers will warm to Miss Mackenzie and admire her modesty, dignity, and shrewdness.
406 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1865
108 people are currently reading
1922 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Trollope
2,283 books1,757 followersAnthony Trollope became one of the most successful, prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. Some of Trollope's best-loved works, known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire; he also wrote penetrating novels on political, social, and gender issues and conflicts of his day.
Trollope has always been a popular novelist. Noted fans have included Sir Alec Guinness (who never travelled without a Trollope novel), former British Prime Ministers Harold Macmillan and Sir John Major, economist John Kenneth Galbraith, American novelists Sue Grafton and Dominick Dunne and soap opera writer Harding Lemay. Trollope's literary reputation dipped somewhat during the last years of his life, but he regained the esteem of critics by the mid-twentieth century.
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_...
Trollope has always been a popular novelist. Noted fans have included Sir Alec Guinness (who never travelled without a Trollope novel), former British Prime Ministers Harold Macmillan and Sir John Major, economist John Kenneth Galbraith, American novelists Sue Grafton and Dominick Dunne and soap opera writer Harding Lemay. Trollope's literary reputation dipped somewhat during the last years of his life, but he regained the esteem of critics by the mid-twentieth century.
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
June 16, 2015
Extremely soppy story that would make a stunning costume drama for the BBC as it has all the right elements - nasty dowager duchesses, scamming suitors, impoverished lovers and people dying, romantically, of consumption. At the end everyone's fortunes are reversed - the poor have money, the snotty get their comeuppance, and those who look like they were in love for pecuniary advantage are proved to have been decent joes and in love for all the right reasons, all along. Everyone who deserves to lives Happily Ever After. (And then... the spin-off series).
It's all quite light and frothy unlike Trollope's more major works such as The Pallisers or the The Barset Chronicles. It does share in common with Dr. Thorne a use of the media as revenge, which is an interesting device. Really though, it's almost chick-lit! Obviously Trollope was either a softie at heart, or else quite cynical and knew that then as now, the money is in romances.
If you like classics, it would make a good beach or travel book. For die-hard Trollope fans it is one of those overlooked books that are worth reading but don't expect the social commentary and depth of The Way We Live Now or the extraordinary, morally outrageous Orley Farm.
Finished 15 April 2011, review 14 June 2015
It's all quite light and frothy unlike Trollope's more major works such as The Pallisers or the The Barset Chronicles. It does share in common with Dr. Thorne a use of the media as revenge, which is an interesting device. Really though, it's almost chick-lit! Obviously Trollope was either a softie at heart, or else quite cynical and knew that then as now, the money is in romances.
If you like classics, it would make a good beach or travel book. For die-hard Trollope fans it is one of those overlooked books that are worth reading but don't expect the social commentary and depth of The Way We Live Now or the extraordinary, morally outrageous Orley Farm.
Finished 15 April 2011, review 14 June 2015
June 6, 2012
I can think of no more amiable writer than Anthony Trollope, whose novels can be read again and again without any diminution of their original power. As a member of the Yahoo! Trollope group, I have read approximately three-quarters of his 47 novels, many of them twice, and at least one of them (The Way We Live Now) three times.
What is there about Trollope's work that makes it so multiply readable? My answer would have to include such factors as his high moral tone (without appearing to be priggish in the slightest) along with his delight in creating complicated stories with a large cast of characters. Curiously, he tends to fall flat in his short stories, and most of his shorter novels are not among his best. I would have to make an exception, however, of Miss Mackenzie, a novel whose heroine is beyond the first flush of youth and who finds herself with a generous inheritance from the brother she had nursed for many years.
Somehow, she approached the middle years with a physical and moral attractiveness which, together with her fortune, make her the target of a number of persistent suitors ranging from an Evangelical clergyman with a demonic squint to the not quite honest son of her brother's partner in trade to an impoverished widower with children, who also happens to be a baronet.
How Trollope weaves his way through these sticky situations is a wonder. I liked Miss Mackenzie the first time I read it; but now I would have to say my admiration has increased. Most nineteenth century novels do not concern themselves with the loves of women who have been around the track a few times. That Trollope succeeds in doing so at the same time as he makes us appreciate her many virtues is a rare accomplishment.
What is there about Trollope's work that makes it so multiply readable? My answer would have to include such factors as his high moral tone (without appearing to be priggish in the slightest) along with his delight in creating complicated stories with a large cast of characters. Curiously, he tends to fall flat in his short stories, and most of his shorter novels are not among his best. I would have to make an exception, however, of Miss Mackenzie, a novel whose heroine is beyond the first flush of youth and who finds herself with a generous inheritance from the brother she had nursed for many years.
Somehow, she approached the middle years with a physical and moral attractiveness which, together with her fortune, make her the target of a number of persistent suitors ranging from an Evangelical clergyman with a demonic squint to the not quite honest son of her brother's partner in trade to an impoverished widower with children, who also happens to be a baronet.
How Trollope weaves his way through these sticky situations is a wonder. I liked Miss Mackenzie the first time I read it; but now I would have to say my admiration has increased. Most nineteenth century novels do not concern themselves with the loves of women who have been around the track a few times. That Trollope succeeds in doing so at the same time as he makes us appreciate her many virtues is a rare accomplishment.
April 29, 2019
Another great Trollope novel - very enjoyable, tender and interesting. Quite different for a Victorian novel too.
April 9, 2023
“They may call her a lamb, but she can be a lioness too when there is an occasion.”
What I love about this is the unique heroine, a courageous “old maid” who spent her youth nursing her sick brother, and now, after his death, has the desire and the newly inherited money to go out into society and seek life. Feeling like “some mariner might who had put himself out alone to sea in a small boat,” she ventures into society by herself, without friends, without ever having been to a dinner party, without any real experience with romantic love—having been kissed romantically only once, long ago.
“She had resolved that she would not content herself with a lifeless life, such as those few who knew anything of her evidently expected … She would go out into the world, and see if she could find any of those pleasantnesses of which she had read in books.”
And the stormy waves she must navigate in the world include many people who want her money and false friends who demand allegiance to their group (a “society of saints”) and deference to their strict religious and social norms. Yet, she braves them all, standing for herself against the lot.
“As to many things she was compliant, and as to some things she was weak; but there was in her composition a power of resistance and self-sustenance … when conscious of absolute ill-usage, she could fight well, and would not bow her neck to any.”
This book is the place to start with Anthony Trollope; it will tell you if his writing is for you, as it includes wonderful prose and all of Trollope’s trademarks—namely, strong female protagonists, empathy for women’s rights, support for marriages based on love rather than money, critical appraisals of the church and clergy, and complex characters who are neither good nor bad. For example, one central character in this book is a fraudster who nevertheless has many admirable motives: “but with his desire for the lady’s money was mingled much that was courageous, and something also that was generous.”
Memorable Quotes
“As for happiness … that is not to be looked for from society. They who expect their social hours to be happy hours will be grievously disappointed.”
“How wrong the world is in connecting so closely as it does the capacity for feeling and the incapacity for expression—in thinking that capacity for the one implies the other; in confusing the technical art of the man who sings with the unselfish tenderness of the man who feels!”
“They taught her to believe that a firm footing below was better than what might, after a life’s struggle, be found to be but a false footing above.”
“Is it not remarkable that the common repute which we all give to attorneys in the general is exactly opposite to that which every man gives to his own attorney in particular? Whom does anybody trust so implicitly as he trusts his own attorney?”
“Men who can succeed in deceiving no one else will succeed at least in deceiving themselves.”
“What wife ever ceased to respect her husband because he dealt dishonestly in business? Whereas, let him not go to church, let him drink too much wine, let him go astray in his conversation, and her wrath arises against these faults.”
What I love about this is the unique heroine, a courageous “old maid” who spent her youth nursing her sick brother, and now, after his death, has the desire and the newly inherited money to go out into society and seek life. Feeling like “some mariner might who had put himself out alone to sea in a small boat,” she ventures into society by herself, without friends, without ever having been to a dinner party, without any real experience with romantic love—having been kissed romantically only once, long ago.
“She had resolved that she would not content herself with a lifeless life, such as those few who knew anything of her evidently expected … She would go out into the world, and see if she could find any of those pleasantnesses of which she had read in books.”
And the stormy waves she must navigate in the world include many people who want her money and false friends who demand allegiance to their group (a “society of saints”) and deference to their strict religious and social norms. Yet, she braves them all, standing for herself against the lot.
“As to many things she was compliant, and as to some things she was weak; but there was in her composition a power of resistance and self-sustenance … when conscious of absolute ill-usage, she could fight well, and would not bow her neck to any.”
This book is the place to start with Anthony Trollope; it will tell you if his writing is for you, as it includes wonderful prose and all of Trollope’s trademarks—namely, strong female protagonists, empathy for women’s rights, support for marriages based on love rather than money, critical appraisals of the church and clergy, and complex characters who are neither good nor bad. For example, one central character in this book is a fraudster who nevertheless has many admirable motives: “but with his desire for the lady’s money was mingled much that was courageous, and something also that was generous.”
Memorable Quotes
“As for happiness … that is not to be looked for from society. They who expect their social hours to be happy hours will be grievously disappointed.”
“How wrong the world is in connecting so closely as it does the capacity for feeling and the incapacity for expression—in thinking that capacity for the one implies the other; in confusing the technical art of the man who sings with the unselfish tenderness of the man who feels!”
“They taught her to believe that a firm footing below was better than what might, after a life’s struggle, be found to be but a false footing above.”
“Is it not remarkable that the common repute which we all give to attorneys in the general is exactly opposite to that which every man gives to his own attorney in particular? Whom does anybody trust so implicitly as he trusts his own attorney?”
“Men who can succeed in deceiving no one else will succeed at least in deceiving themselves.”
“What wife ever ceased to respect her husband because he dealt dishonestly in business? Whereas, let him not go to church, let him drink too much wine, let him go astray in his conversation, and her wrath arises against these faults.”
February 19, 2019
Una novela que nos presenta muy claramente las vicisitudes por las que una “solterona” debe pasar para encontrar el amor en una sociedad llena de gente mezquina e interesada. Ha habido un momento que me ha recordado a “Orgullo y prejuicio”, por cierto. La manera de Trollope es muy ágil, se lee con agrado y facilidad.
May 17, 2017
This is my second reading of the unforgettable Miss Mackenzie. I liked it even better than the first go-around. It is really a fine example of Trollope's depth, as well as his inimitable and often humorous character portrayals.
When her brother dies and she is on her own for the very first time, Miss Mackenzie struggles to become independent. The world is a mystery to her and it is much like reading about a cloistered nun leaving the nunnery for the first time.
Miss Mackenzie's determination to make her way through an unfamiliar world and its expectations are engrossing. Due to her limited social interactions for so many years, she is careful when arriving in Littlebath to measure whether she should join a group that might limit her once again. She feels she should share her fortune with others less deserving, and is even criticized for that attempt. Yet, she pushes forward, indomitable and courageous.
As she has inherited a small fortune, she is quickly taken up by three gentlemen, all anxious for her hand. How she analyzes their suits and their behavior toward her comprise a good deal of the narrative.
Whether she is choosing whom she should marry or how she should comport herself, Margaret always holds our interest and our affection.
When her brother dies and she is on her own for the very first time, Miss Mackenzie struggles to become independent. The world is a mystery to her and it is much like reading about a cloistered nun leaving the nunnery for the first time.
Miss Mackenzie's determination to make her way through an unfamiliar world and its expectations are engrossing. Due to her limited social interactions for so many years, she is careful when arriving in Littlebath to measure whether she should join a group that might limit her once again. She feels she should share her fortune with others less deserving, and is even criticized for that attempt. Yet, she pushes forward, indomitable and courageous.
As she has inherited a small fortune, she is quickly taken up by three gentlemen, all anxious for her hand. How she analyzes their suits and their behavior toward her comprise a good deal of the narrative.
Whether she is choosing whom she should marry or how she should comport herself, Margaret always holds our interest and our affection.
September 17, 2022
Yes, I like Miss Mackenzie. It is not a bad book by Anthony Trollope, but he has others that are much better. When you have read several books by an author, of course you cannot help but compare them.
Trollope spends time describing each character. This is good because it enhances character portrayal, but at the same time the story has undeniably a slow start.
We have here a story about a woman, the eponymous Miss Mackenzie, who inherits a large sum of money in her mid-thirties. She is considered past her prime. Now having money, suitors flock around her. She has for years cared for first her father and then an elder brother. It is his fortune she has inherited. As the tale continues, the legality of the inheritance is questioned. Along the way, we observe the comportment and personalities of the competing suitors and Miss Mackenzie herself. The question is, of course, if she will or will not find a true love and if she is worthy of such.
Character portrayal is meticulous. This I don’t think any reader can fuss about. However, my heart did not go out to any of the characters. The book’s emotional content is in my view flat. This explains my inability to give the book a higher rating. It’s just that simple. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the book, but it has not captured my heart! One might also say, I wanted to like this book more than I actually did!
The only place I could find this book was at Librivox. I am so very thankful that the site does exist, but its readers are not professional. Kirsten Wever reads the entire volume, which is better than when several readers collaborate, each reading different chapters. Kirsten’s reading improves; as she goes along she gains confidence and gets into her stride. The words are not difficult to hear, but her narration has no flair. It is flat and unnuanced. Three stars—this is a relatively good narration at Librivox. It’s listenable. I honestly do not think the mediocre narration has influenced my rating of the book itself.
******************
Palliser Series :
1.Can You Forgive Her? 3 stars
2.Phineas Finn 4 stars
Standalones :
*The Vicar of Bullhampton 5 stars
*Miss Mackenzie 3 stars
*Dr. Wortle's School 3 stars
*Sir Harry Hotspur Of Humblethwaite 2 stars
*The Way We Live Now 1 star
*Orley Farm TBR
Chronicles of Barsetshire :
1.The Warden 3 stars
2.Barchester Towers 4 stars
3.Dr. Thorne 4 stars
4.Framley Parsonage 4 stars
5.The Small House at Allington 5 stars
6.The Last Chronicle of Barset 5 star
Trollope spends time describing each character. This is good because it enhances character portrayal, but at the same time the story has undeniably a slow start.
We have here a story about a woman, the eponymous Miss Mackenzie, who inherits a large sum of money in her mid-thirties. She is considered past her prime. Now having money, suitors flock around her. She has for years cared for first her father and then an elder brother. It is his fortune she has inherited. As the tale continues, the legality of the inheritance is questioned. Along the way, we observe the comportment and personalities of the competing suitors and Miss Mackenzie herself. The question is, of course, if she will or will not find a true love and if she is worthy of such.
Character portrayal is meticulous. This I don’t think any reader can fuss about. However, my heart did not go out to any of the characters. The book’s emotional content is in my view flat. This explains my inability to give the book a higher rating. It’s just that simple. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the book, but it has not captured my heart! One might also say, I wanted to like this book more than I actually did!
The only place I could find this book was at Librivox. I am so very thankful that the site does exist, but its readers are not professional. Kirsten Wever reads the entire volume, which is better than when several readers collaborate, each reading different chapters. Kirsten’s reading improves; as she goes along she gains confidence and gets into her stride. The words are not difficult to hear, but her narration has no flair. It is flat and unnuanced. Three stars—this is a relatively good narration at Librivox. It’s listenable. I honestly do not think the mediocre narration has influenced my rating of the book itself.
******************
Palliser Series :
1.Can You Forgive Her? 3 stars
2.Phineas Finn 4 stars
Standalones :
*The Vicar of Bullhampton 5 stars
*Miss Mackenzie 3 stars
*Dr. Wortle's School 3 stars
*Sir Harry Hotspur Of Humblethwaite 2 stars
*The Way We Live Now 1 star
*Orley Farm TBR
Chronicles of Barsetshire :
1.The Warden 3 stars
2.Barchester Towers 4 stars
3.Dr. Thorne 4 stars
4.Framley Parsonage 4 stars
5.The Small House at Allington 5 stars
6.The Last Chronicle of Barset 5 star
June 7, 2017
Margaret Mackenzie spent her youth caring for her ill father, only to spend her young womanhood - and beyond - caring for her brother who was also ill. When her brother died, and left Margaret his small fortune, she was 35 years old, had no friends and knew nothing of the world. But that small fortune left her with options! Most middle-class women in Victorian England had to find a husband in order to secure even their most basic needs. Margaret could afford to look around a bit.
Not only did Margaret have her £800 a year, but she was a kind and gentle soul into the bargain. "Aunt is so kind," Susanna said. "She's always kind. If you wake her up in the middle of the night, she's kind in a moment. And if there's anything good to eat, it will make her eyes quite shine if she sees that anybody else likes it. I have known her sit for half an hour ever so uncomfortable, because she would not disturb the cat."
As things would have it, though, middle-class men also needed to marry. By finding a woman who had a bit of money, and combining it with their own, a comfortable life might be had. Margaret had options! Perhaps more options than she anticipated!
Trollope gives us much of his usual humor. A butler hired for just an evening was called Mr. Grandairs. Sir John Ball was on the boards of at least two named firms: The Shadrach Fire and the Abednego Life Companies. Margaret's attorney was Mr. Slow, of the oft-mentioned firm of Slow and Bideawhile. Of course, Margaret's many admirers provided their amusement as well.
Although perhaps not my favorite, this is very good, typical Trollope, and a solid 4 stars.
Not only did Margaret have her £800 a year, but she was a kind and gentle soul into the bargain. "Aunt is so kind," Susanna said. "She's always kind. If you wake her up in the middle of the night, she's kind in a moment. And if there's anything good to eat, it will make her eyes quite shine if she sees that anybody else likes it. I have known her sit for half an hour ever so uncomfortable, because she would not disturb the cat."
As things would have it, though, middle-class men also needed to marry. By finding a woman who had a bit of money, and combining it with their own, a comfortable life might be had. Margaret had options! Perhaps more options than she anticipated!
Trollope gives us much of his usual humor. A butler hired for just an evening was called Mr. Grandairs. Sir John Ball was on the boards of at least two named firms: The Shadrach Fire and the Abednego Life Companies. Margaret's attorney was Mr. Slow, of the oft-mentioned firm of Slow and Bideawhile. Of course, Margaret's many admirers provided their amusement as well.
Although perhaps not my favorite, this is very good, typical Trollope, and a solid 4 stars.
May 2, 2019
Es el primer libro que leo de Trollope y no sólo me ha gustado sino que me deja con ganas de seguir leyendo al autor.
El argumento de esta novela me parece muy interesante y distinto a lo que habitualmente leo y encuentro en los clásicos. Estoy acostumbrada a encontrar en estas novelas damas con dificultades económicas que deben hacer un buen casamiento para no verse abocadas a la miseria y en este libro también lo veremos pero también tendremos caballeros que aspiran a la fortuna recién heredada por la ya no tan joven (estamos hablando del siglo XIX y con cuarenta años tenías medio pie en la tumba según la mentalidad de la época) Margaret Mackenzie.
Este libro es un claro reflejo de la sociedad de la época, de sus costumbres de su mentalidad y aunque leerlo en nuestro tiempo se hace un poco raro, porque no podemos estar de acuerdo con según qué cosas, me ha parecido una lectura interesante y muy amena.
El argumento de esta novela me parece muy interesante y distinto a lo que habitualmente leo y encuentro en los clásicos. Estoy acostumbrada a encontrar en estas novelas damas con dificultades económicas que deben hacer un buen casamiento para no verse abocadas a la miseria y en este libro también lo veremos pero también tendremos caballeros que aspiran a la fortuna recién heredada por la ya no tan joven (estamos hablando del siglo XIX y con cuarenta años tenías medio pie en la tumba según la mentalidad de la época) Margaret Mackenzie.
Este libro es un claro reflejo de la sociedad de la época, de sus costumbres de su mentalidad y aunque leerlo en nuestro tiempo se hace un poco raro, porque no podemos estar de acuerdo con según qué cosas, me ha parecido una lectura interesante y muy amena.
May 31, 2019
Había resuelto no conformarse con una vida sin vida.
September 6, 2015
A very pleasant read, although the story itself could have easily ended 50 pages sooner. However, the filler created by Trollope was also enjoyable.
It was an interesting portrait of a woman on her own in 19th century England. I became quite attached to Miss Mackenzie and absorbed in her story.
And as always, Trollope's prose is smooth and comforting. There is lots of plot events and the usual range of Victorian characters.
It was an interesting portrait of a woman on her own in 19th century England. I became quite attached to Miss Mackenzie and absorbed in her story.
And as always, Trollope's prose is smooth and comforting. There is lots of plot events and the usual range of Victorian characters.
January 29, 2017
Miss Margaret Mackenzie,a middle aged spinster, has spent her life in service to her family. First she nursed her aged father through his final illness and now her older brother, Walter. When Walter's will is read, everyone is shocked he left his fortune to Margaret. None is more shocked than her older brother Tom, of Rubb and Mackenzie, tire manufacturers. Tom's wife takes personal offense at this snub. Margaret is finally getting the chance to live her life and she heads to Littlebath to join society there. Her niece, Susanna, comes along to attend school there with Margaret's money. Margaret is soon caught up in the Evangelical Christian Mrs. Strumfold's society where she meets the squint-eyed minister Mr. Maguire. Margaret is forced to choose between the Strumfoldians and her more morally free neighbors. She tries to straddle both worlds as best she can but Mr. Maguire has Margaret in his line of sight to be his rich bride. She's delighted with visits from her brother's business partner, Mr. Rubb, Jr. and promises to loan her brother money for a mortgage. As she discusses business with Mr. Rubb, she comes to enjoy his company very much and if he should propose... but he isn't a gentleman so naturally he's out of the question. A family tragedy brings her into the orbit of her relatives, Sir John and Lady Ball, their grown children and grandchildren. Sir John's son, John, Jr. is as dull as men come but he becomes a rock on which Margaret can lean on. Then, a chance meeting with her lawyer brings shocking news and Margaret's life will never be the same again.
I think Trollope must have read and enjoyed Jane Austen because this book has many similarities with an Austen comedy of manners. It gets a little more melodramatic in the end but it is at heart a witty social commentary a la Austen and Dickens. Trollope's humor isn't quite as overtly funny as Austen's but with characters named Mr. Slow and Mr. Bideawhile and a clergyman with a squint, you know he is playing with his readers the way Dickens did. Indeed many of the characters bear strong resemblances to Austen characters: Lady Ball is a cross between Lady Catherine and Fanny Dashwood and every manipulative, smothering mother you've ever come across. Mr. Maguire at first seems like a Mr. Collins character but he's no buffoon. He's shrewd and cunning and knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to convince the world he's right. Mrs. Mackenzie of Incharrow is like Elizabeth Bennet's aunt Gardiner with a dash of delightful matchmaker like Emma. I really enjoyed her character. She's manipulative in a good way. Miss Baker and Miss Todd are intriguing characters and I wish they were in the story more.
The main characters are Margaret, Mr. Rubb, John Ball and Mr. Maguire. Margaret is around my age but she seems much older and careworn like Anne Elliot. She's had a tough life and has never been loved so it's easy to root for her and want her to find someone to love. I wasn't thrilled with any of her suitors, they're just too dull, but she knew which one she wanted and so I wanted the match for her. She's a character who is easy to sympathize with. Mr. Rubb seems charming. I liked him. I didn't care for John, a 50 year old widower. I don't see him making a good lover. He's steady and dependable but I would wish for some passion in a relationship. I couldn't figure out who Margaret was going to choose until she did it. The pacing of the novel is quite slow for the first half and then once it gets going, it gets easier to read. I recommend this to fans of Austen, Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell.
I think Trollope must have read and enjoyed Jane Austen because this book has many similarities with an Austen comedy of manners. It gets a little more melodramatic in the end but it is at heart a witty social commentary a la Austen and Dickens. Trollope's humor isn't quite as overtly funny as Austen's but with characters named Mr. Slow and Mr. Bideawhile and a clergyman with a squint, you know he is playing with his readers the way Dickens did. Indeed many of the characters bear strong resemblances to Austen characters: Lady Ball is a cross between Lady Catherine and Fanny Dashwood and every manipulative, smothering mother you've ever come across. Mr. Maguire at first seems like a Mr. Collins character but he's no buffoon. He's shrewd and cunning and knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to convince the world he's right. Mrs. Mackenzie of Incharrow is like Elizabeth Bennet's aunt Gardiner with a dash of delightful matchmaker like Emma. I really enjoyed her character. She's manipulative in a good way. Miss Baker and Miss Todd are intriguing characters and I wish they were in the story more.
The main characters are Margaret, Mr. Rubb, John Ball and Mr. Maguire. Margaret is around my age but she seems much older and careworn like Anne Elliot. She's had a tough life and has never been loved so it's easy to root for her and want her to find someone to love. I wasn't thrilled with any of her suitors, they're just too dull, but she knew which one she wanted and so I wanted the match for her. She's a character who is easy to sympathize with. Mr. Rubb seems charming. I liked him. I didn't care for John, a 50 year old widower. I don't see him making a good lover. He's steady and dependable but I would wish for some passion in a relationship. I couldn't figure out who Margaret was going to choose until she did it. The pacing of the novel is quite slow for the first half and then once it gets going, it gets easier to read. I recommend this to fans of Austen, Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell.
May 4, 2024
Just when I was beginning to think Trollope wasn't for me, I finally read a book of his I adored! With characters I adored and could root for. With a plot that took interesting and unexpected turns, and a pretty good romance, too.
The not overly beautiful and no longer young Miss MacKenzie inherits a good fortune. But with everyone trying to get a hold of her money, she must learn her true value to avoid making a mistake she will regret.
I highly recommend this for fans of Victorian literature!
The not overly beautiful and no longer young Miss MacKenzie inherits a good fortune. But with everyone trying to get a hold of her money, she must learn her true value to avoid making a mistake she will regret.
I highly recommend this for fans of Victorian literature!
September 12, 2021
Mr. Trollope is always a treat. His novels are relaxing reads, where not much happens by way of modern 'action', but you get to know the characters most intimately (for better or worse) as they wrestle with daily life, money matters, family friction and above all, love and romance.
Our heroine in Miss Mackenzie, Miss Margaret Mackenzie (mid 30s) has been recently made a wealthy woman upon the death of her brother, Walter, thus earning her the enmity of her other brother's wife and the other branch of the family. Margaret quickly learns the major pitfall of her inheritance is the swarming of suitors attracted by her money. But, who to choose, if anyone?
THAT is the question, until even larger questions begin to emerge and the rival suitors learn of each other's existence, a lawsuit becomes necessary and ugly allegations are made in the press.
When things seem the bleakest for Miss Mackenzie, there is a delightful scene of comic relief provided by characters from the The Palliser Chronicles Collection! I love unexpected cameo appearances of beloved personalities from books I have enjoyed in a previous lifetime (or anyway so long ago it seems to be so). Glencora Palliser is one of my favorites and her unconventional toss of the head at Victorian staidness cheered our Margaret as well. A full extra star for this chapter alone. Thank you, Mr. Trollope!
4.5 stars. Lovely read!
Our heroine in Miss Mackenzie, Miss Margaret Mackenzie (mid 30s) has been recently made a wealthy woman upon the death of her brother, Walter, thus earning her the enmity of her other brother's wife and the other branch of the family. Margaret quickly learns the major pitfall of her inheritance is the swarming of suitors attracted by her money. But, who to choose, if anyone?
THAT is the question, until even larger questions begin to emerge and the rival suitors learn of each other's existence, a lawsuit becomes necessary and ugly allegations are made in the press.
When things seem the bleakest for Miss Mackenzie, there is a delightful scene of comic relief provided by characters from the The Palliser Chronicles Collection! I love unexpected cameo appearances of beloved personalities from books I have enjoyed in a previous lifetime (or anyway so long ago it seems to be so). Glencora Palliser is one of my favorites and her unconventional toss of the head at Victorian staidness cheered our Margaret as well. A full extra star for this chapter alone. Thank you, Mr. Trollope!
4.5 stars. Lovely read!
October 14, 2023
An excellent gateway to Trollope, if one is seeking such a thing. It's not as long as many of his other books, and there are shades of Austen and Dickens both, so if you enjoy either of those authors you'll probably find something to enjoy here. It was very readable, and kept me guessing as to the resolution enough that I'd actually call it a page-turner at some points. But, having read two of his books now, I can't say that Trollope really has earned anything beyond my respect -- I'm not fond enough of his universe to seek it out very often.
March 5, 2021
Está bien escrito y es ágil de leer a pesar de ser un clásico que pueden costar un poco mas pero se me ha hecho muy irregular. Ha habido capítulos que me han gustado mucho pero otros me han aburrido soberanamente. Empezó gustándome mucho pero llegó un punto que se me hizo repetitivo y en mi humilde opinión le sobran páginas.
December 15, 2015
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a husband.
February 20, 2022
Aventuras y desventuras de una solterona. Con su lectura se comprueba aquello de "el dinero no da la felicidad". En los primeros capítulos llegué a sentirme agobiada con tanto pretendiente.
Margaret es digna de lástima, pobrecilla. Qué buena, qué recta y qué honesta.
Margaret es digna de lástima, pobrecilla. Qué buena, qué recta y qué honesta.
April 13, 2022
I really enjoyed this Trollope! So much so that I picked up another of his novels right away. I love how gentle Trollope is with his characters. His authorial voice is so understanding, rather like a beloved uncle or grandfather. Margaret Mackenzie is an interesting heroine and has to make so many tough decisions in the course of the novel. It’s easy to feel sorry for her at times in the novel, but there are also times when she speaks her mind with courage. It was so fun to cheer for her in those moments.
The hero of this novel is admitted by Trollope to be weak and lacking in courage, and he does end up being managed by some of the women in his life. He is still likeable though and stands up to the villain of the book: his mother, Lady Ball. She is awful. Seriously, she has a chip on her shoulder and cannot, will not see past it. It’s frightfully sad and made me want to hit her over the head more than once. She’s a good example of an insidious kind of vice. I’m not sure what the exact name would be, it’s like a mixture of pride and ingratitude and presumption and condescension. Kind of like Lady Catherine de Bourgh but angrier. Scary.
As a counterpoint, there is Mrs. Walter Mackenzie. She is fabulous. There’s a line about her near the end of the novel that I just loved (and puts Lady Ball’s snobbery to shame). All in all, this was quite a treat, and I see there is a BBC radio drama version that I am eager to listen to.
The hero of this novel is admitted by Trollope to be weak and lacking in courage, and he does end up being managed by some of the women in his life. He is still likeable though and stands up to the villain of the book: his mother, Lady Ball. She is awful. Seriously, she has a chip on her shoulder and cannot, will not see past it. It’s frightfully sad and made me want to hit her over the head more than once. She’s a good example of an insidious kind of vice. I’m not sure what the exact name would be, it’s like a mixture of pride and ingratitude and presumption and condescension. Kind of like Lady Catherine de Bourgh but angrier. Scary.
As a counterpoint, there is Mrs. Walter Mackenzie. She is fabulous. There’s a line about her near the end of the novel that I just loved (and puts Lady Ball’s snobbery to shame). All in all, this was quite a treat, and I see there is a BBC radio drama version that I am eager to listen to.
January 20, 2024
While this sprinkles in the usual writing quirks I love about Anthony Trollope's books, I wasn't as captivated as a whole. Some of the characters were a lot of fun, but maybe there were to many for me and I wasn't as enthralled with most or them as in, say, Doctor Thorne or The Warden. Also, it did turn a bit too dramatic for my taste and I'm unsure about the ending. I really enjoyed the dynamic of the plot, though, with the different suitors approaching Margarate for her money and her, enjoying finally even having a life, unsure if she wants to marry any of them or at all. The whole idea of the book was a breath of fresh air, and Trollope delivers on that premise.
October 28, 2010
This is an overlooked small gem of a novel. Margaret Mackenzie is a spinster in her mid-thirties who receives a large inheritance when her brother dies and must then deal with what comes with the inheritance, including several suitors, who may or may not simply be after her money. Trollope depicts Miss Mackenzie with his usual unsparing honesty, and although in his autobiography he called her "a very unattractive old maid", her modesty, charity, and dignity endear her to the reader. I found myself so sympathizing with her that I found the rather everyday plot quite engrossing.
May 16, 2022
MISS MACKENZIES MUT ZU LIEBEN (MISS MACKENZIE/1865) gehört sicherlich nicht zu den bekanntesten Werken von Anthony Trollope. Dennoch zeigt es viel von all jenen Vorzügen, die den Autor, heute wahrscheinlich nicht mehr viel gelesen, ausmachen. Trollope war neben Charles Dickens oder Thomas Hardy einer der meistgelesenen Schriftsteller im Großbritannien des 19. Jahrhunderts. Sein Witz, der genaue Blick auf die gesellschaftlichen Konventionen des viktorianischen Zeitalters, die er detailliert sezierte und nicht selten auch der Lächerlichkeit preisgab, machten ihn so beliebt.
MISS MACKENZIES MUT ZU LIEBEN erzählt die Geschichte der titelgebenden Dame, die in jungen Jahren erst ihren Vater, dann einen ihrer Brüder bis zu deren Tode pflegt. Sie hat keinerlei gesellschaftliche Erfahrungen, keine Freunde und nicht einmal viele Bekanntschaften. Von der Liebe versteht sie nichts, als ein Bekannter des Hauses um ihre Hand anhält, reagiert sie verstört. Als ihr ein Erbe eröffnet wird, das ihr ein durchaus gutes Einkommen sichert, zieht sie nach Littlebath, einer Kleinstadt nicht weit von London entfernt, wo sie sich eine gesellschaftliche Stellung erhofft. Kaum ist sie in der Stadt eingetroffen, gerät sie in die lokalen Streitereien zwischen den religiös Gefestigten, die sie in ihren Kreis aufnehmen, und jenen, die gern dem Kartenspiel und anderen gesellschaftlichen Vergnügungen frönen. Doch mehr noch wird Miss Mackenzie plötzlich für verschiedene Herren interessant, für die sie, eingedenk ihres Wohlstands und Jahreseinkommens von 800 Pfund im Jahr, eine ausgesprochen gute Partie darstellt.
In der Folge beschreibt Trollope nun das Werben der verschiedenen Herren – er kapriziert sich dabei auf drei: Einen Gentleman, der der Meinung ist, daß das an Miss Mackenzie vererbte Vermögen eigentlich ihm und seiner Seite der Familie zustünde – John Ball, so sein Name, ist ein Verwandter von Miss Mackenzie – , desweiteren Mr. Rubb, ein Geschäftspartner ihres verstorbenen Bruders, und zu guter Letzt Mr. Maguire, ein Hilfsgeistlicher, der sich um Miss Mackenzies Gunst und Geld bewirbt. Trollope, der den Leser als Erzähler immer wieder direkt anspricht, ihn so in das Geschehen hineinzieht und ihn auch immer wieder auffordert, sich ein eigenes Urteil zu bilden hinsichtlich der Protagonisten, macht sich ein diebisches Vergnügen daraus, die Werbungsversuche dieser Herren sowie die allgemeinen Ansichten in der Gesellschaft hinsichtlich dieser Werbungen zu beschreiben. Dann, am Höhepunkt all dieser Versuche, schlägt natürlich das Schicksal zu. Zunächst stirbt Miss Mackenzies verbliebener Bruder, dann erfährt sie, daß das Vermögen, daß sie ihr Eigen nennt, ihr fälschlich vermacht wurde, das Geld steht gesetzlich gesehen eben doch ihrem Vetter John Ball zu, dessen Werben sie abgelehnt hat, als sie Geld hatte, allerdings annimmt, als sie nichts mehr besitzt. Das ruft wiederum den Widerstand von Lady Ball, Johns Mutter, hervor, die Miss Mackenzie so oder so nicht leiden kann und sie natürlich der Berechnung bezichtigt.
Trollope spielt mit den verschiedenen Aspekten von Liebe, Vermögen, Heirat und gesellschaftlicher Konvention. Dabei lässt er die als Figur eher schwach ausgebildete Miss Mackenzie im Laufe der Handlung immer stärker an Kontur gewinnen und immer selbstständiger und auch selbstbewußter auftreten. Sie, die sich ungeschickt verhalten haben mag, weil sie keine Erfahrung im Umgang mit Männern und deren Werben hatte, verfügt über einen sehr genauen moralischen Kompass dafür, was sich gehört und was nicht. Sie hält sich gut im Sturm der verschiedenen Anträge und verschiedenen Schicksalsschläge, geht unbeirrt ihren Weg, erhält hier und da – wohl auch der Dramaturgie geschuldet – Hilfe von plötzlich auftauchenden Verwandten, hat in John Ball einen wahren Gentleman getroffen, der sich sehr bewußt ist, daß er ihr etwas schuldet, der sie aber offensichtlich auch nach und nach wirklich liebt.
Es heißt, daß neben Jane Austen kaum ein Autor des 19. Jahrhunderts so genau auf die Bedeutung von Geld achtete, wie Trollope. Und hier gelingt ihm – ob gewollt oder ungewollt – ein kleines Meisterstück psychologischer Leserbeeinflussung. Denn obwohl wir natürlich wollen, daß Miss Mackenzie und Sir John Ball schließlich zusammenfinden, einander finden, in wahrer Liebe sich zusammentun, bleibt doch ein Restzweifel an den Beweggründen der Protagonisten. Heiratet John Ball seine Cousine aus Mitleid? Oder gar, um sich endlich, mit 50 Jahren, aus den Fängen der eigenen Mutter und deren Regime zu befreien? Hat Miss Mackenzie im Laufe der geschilderten Ereignisse gelernt, daß Liebe und Vermögen derart zusammengehören, daß ihre Eheschließung mit Ball dann doch auch zu einem gewissen Grad Berechnung ist? Und sind all diese an Miss Mackenzie Interessierten letztlich nur hinter ihrem Geld her?
In Mr. Maguires Fall, der schließlich eine öffentliche, in Zeitungen ausgetragene Hetzkampagne gegen Sir John Ball anstrengt, muß man das wohl so sehen. Wobei Trollope hier auch den Mechanismus der öffentlichen Aufmerksamkeit und öffentlicher Empörung, angefacht durch die Boulevard-Presse, thematisieren kann. Auch wenn Mr. Maguires Furor von Trollope durchaus als etwas Manisches, Wahnhaftes gezeichnet wird, kommt dem armen Mann hier die Rolle des Schurken zu. Anders liegt die Sache bei Mr. Rubb, der Miss Mackenzie anfangs sogar belügt, ihr falsche Geschäftszahlen nennt und so ein Leihgeschäft einfädelt, daß der Firma helfen soll – Geld, das Miss Mackenzie nie wiedersehen wird, wie sie und der Leser bald begreifen. Dennoch ist dieser Mr. Rubb nicht gänzlich falsch, besitzt eine warme Seite, ist von echter Zuneigung zu Miss Mackenzie erfüllt. John Ball seinerseits ist eine etwas tragische Figur, ein Witwer von fünfzig Jahren, der mit sieben Kindern ein Auskommen sucht, das seiner gesellschaftlichen Stellung angemessen ist. Und der doch versteht, daß der Streit zwischen ihm und seiner Angebeteten ein Kampf mit ungleichen Mitteln ist.
Trollope beschreibt dem Leser ausführlich, wie wichtig das Geld ist, wie sehr es gesellschaftliche Stellung und Ansehen bestimmt, wie wesentlich es für die Planung der eigenen Zukunft ist. Und er beschreibt ebenso ausführlich, wie sich das Geld für die auswirkt, die es besitzen, bzw. was geschieht, wenn sie es nicht mehr besitzen. Und immer betrachtet er die Gesellschaft, die solche Konventionen hervorbringt. Dabei gelingen ihm Szenen, die den Leser wirklich zu lautem Lachen inspirieren. Eine Abendgesellschaft bei Miss Mackenzies Schwägerin wird durch einen tyrannischen Butler bestimmt, dessen Eigenart, wirklich jeden Teller selbst zu bestücken, dazu führt, daß das Essen ebenso kalt wie ungenießbar ist, als es endlich auf dem Tisch steht. Auch bei den Namen erlaubt sich Trollope einige Freizügigkeiten und Hinweise. Da tritt im Kreis der Kirchentreuen ein Mr. Frigidy auf, Miss Mackenzies erster Verehrer trägt den vielsagenden Namen Handcock, ein Anwalt heißt Mr. Slow – und genauso verübt er auch das Geschäft der Juristerei. Und auch Mr. Rubbs Namen darf getrost als „telling name“ betrachtet werden, sieht es doch zunächst und recht lange Zeit so aus, als wollte der junge Mann Miss Mackenzie lediglich um ihr Geld bringen.
Vielleicht ist MISS MACKENZIES MUT ZU LIEBEN nicht Trollopes bestes Werk, sicher nicht sein bekanntestes. Doch fasst es viel von dem zusammen, was sein Schreiben ausmacht. Hier wird geradezu exemplarisch vorgeführt, wie sein Blick auf die englische Gesellschaft gerichtet war, wie genau er beobachtete, aber auch, daß er eine durchaus Dickens nicht unähnliche Leidenschaft für seine Figuren hat, die er achtet und denen er nichts Arges wünscht. Die genaue Personenbeschreibung, die auch einen Schurken wie Mr. Maguire durchaus vielschichtig zeichnet und in der Lage ist, auch hinter frevlerischem Tun Verzweiflung zu erkennen, macht ein Buch wie dieses auch nahezu 150 Jahre nach seiner Erstveröffentlichung so lesenswert. Es ist ebenso eine literarische Unterhaltung erster Klasse, wie es ein lebensnaher Einblick in das viktorianische Zeitalter mit all seinen Vorgaben ist, der gesellschaftlichen Enge, voller unterdrückter Sexualität und strikter sozialer Kontrolle. Einen Roman wie diesen heute zu lesen, hat etwas von einer Zeitmaschine – und lässt uns einmal mehr die Kraft und ganze Potenz des Romans des 19. Jahrhunderts spüren.
MISS MACKENZIES MUT ZU LIEBEN erzählt die Geschichte der titelgebenden Dame, die in jungen Jahren erst ihren Vater, dann einen ihrer Brüder bis zu deren Tode pflegt. Sie hat keinerlei gesellschaftliche Erfahrungen, keine Freunde und nicht einmal viele Bekanntschaften. Von der Liebe versteht sie nichts, als ein Bekannter des Hauses um ihre Hand anhält, reagiert sie verstört. Als ihr ein Erbe eröffnet wird, das ihr ein durchaus gutes Einkommen sichert, zieht sie nach Littlebath, einer Kleinstadt nicht weit von London entfernt, wo sie sich eine gesellschaftliche Stellung erhofft. Kaum ist sie in der Stadt eingetroffen, gerät sie in die lokalen Streitereien zwischen den religiös Gefestigten, die sie in ihren Kreis aufnehmen, und jenen, die gern dem Kartenspiel und anderen gesellschaftlichen Vergnügungen frönen. Doch mehr noch wird Miss Mackenzie plötzlich für verschiedene Herren interessant, für die sie, eingedenk ihres Wohlstands und Jahreseinkommens von 800 Pfund im Jahr, eine ausgesprochen gute Partie darstellt.
In der Folge beschreibt Trollope nun das Werben der verschiedenen Herren – er kapriziert sich dabei auf drei: Einen Gentleman, der der Meinung ist, daß das an Miss Mackenzie vererbte Vermögen eigentlich ihm und seiner Seite der Familie zustünde – John Ball, so sein Name, ist ein Verwandter von Miss Mackenzie – , desweiteren Mr. Rubb, ein Geschäftspartner ihres verstorbenen Bruders, und zu guter Letzt Mr. Maguire, ein Hilfsgeistlicher, der sich um Miss Mackenzies Gunst und Geld bewirbt. Trollope, der den Leser als Erzähler immer wieder direkt anspricht, ihn so in das Geschehen hineinzieht und ihn auch immer wieder auffordert, sich ein eigenes Urteil zu bilden hinsichtlich der Protagonisten, macht sich ein diebisches Vergnügen daraus, die Werbungsversuche dieser Herren sowie die allgemeinen Ansichten in der Gesellschaft hinsichtlich dieser Werbungen zu beschreiben. Dann, am Höhepunkt all dieser Versuche, schlägt natürlich das Schicksal zu. Zunächst stirbt Miss Mackenzies verbliebener Bruder, dann erfährt sie, daß das Vermögen, daß sie ihr Eigen nennt, ihr fälschlich vermacht wurde, das Geld steht gesetzlich gesehen eben doch ihrem Vetter John Ball zu, dessen Werben sie abgelehnt hat, als sie Geld hatte, allerdings annimmt, als sie nichts mehr besitzt. Das ruft wiederum den Widerstand von Lady Ball, Johns Mutter, hervor, die Miss Mackenzie so oder so nicht leiden kann und sie natürlich der Berechnung bezichtigt.
Trollope spielt mit den verschiedenen Aspekten von Liebe, Vermögen, Heirat und gesellschaftlicher Konvention. Dabei lässt er die als Figur eher schwach ausgebildete Miss Mackenzie im Laufe der Handlung immer stärker an Kontur gewinnen und immer selbstständiger und auch selbstbewußter auftreten. Sie, die sich ungeschickt verhalten haben mag, weil sie keine Erfahrung im Umgang mit Männern und deren Werben hatte, verfügt über einen sehr genauen moralischen Kompass dafür, was sich gehört und was nicht. Sie hält sich gut im Sturm der verschiedenen Anträge und verschiedenen Schicksalsschläge, geht unbeirrt ihren Weg, erhält hier und da – wohl auch der Dramaturgie geschuldet – Hilfe von plötzlich auftauchenden Verwandten, hat in John Ball einen wahren Gentleman getroffen, der sich sehr bewußt ist, daß er ihr etwas schuldet, der sie aber offensichtlich auch nach und nach wirklich liebt.
Es heißt, daß neben Jane Austen kaum ein Autor des 19. Jahrhunderts so genau auf die Bedeutung von Geld achtete, wie Trollope. Und hier gelingt ihm – ob gewollt oder ungewollt – ein kleines Meisterstück psychologischer Leserbeeinflussung. Denn obwohl wir natürlich wollen, daß Miss Mackenzie und Sir John Ball schließlich zusammenfinden, einander finden, in wahrer Liebe sich zusammentun, bleibt doch ein Restzweifel an den Beweggründen der Protagonisten. Heiratet John Ball seine Cousine aus Mitleid? Oder gar, um sich endlich, mit 50 Jahren, aus den Fängen der eigenen Mutter und deren Regime zu befreien? Hat Miss Mackenzie im Laufe der geschilderten Ereignisse gelernt, daß Liebe und Vermögen derart zusammengehören, daß ihre Eheschließung mit Ball dann doch auch zu einem gewissen Grad Berechnung ist? Und sind all diese an Miss Mackenzie Interessierten letztlich nur hinter ihrem Geld her?
In Mr. Maguires Fall, der schließlich eine öffentliche, in Zeitungen ausgetragene Hetzkampagne gegen Sir John Ball anstrengt, muß man das wohl so sehen. Wobei Trollope hier auch den Mechanismus der öffentlichen Aufmerksamkeit und öffentlicher Empörung, angefacht durch die Boulevard-Presse, thematisieren kann. Auch wenn Mr. Maguires Furor von Trollope durchaus als etwas Manisches, Wahnhaftes gezeichnet wird, kommt dem armen Mann hier die Rolle des Schurken zu. Anders liegt die Sache bei Mr. Rubb, der Miss Mackenzie anfangs sogar belügt, ihr falsche Geschäftszahlen nennt und so ein Leihgeschäft einfädelt, daß der Firma helfen soll – Geld, das Miss Mackenzie nie wiedersehen wird, wie sie und der Leser bald begreifen. Dennoch ist dieser Mr. Rubb nicht gänzlich falsch, besitzt eine warme Seite, ist von echter Zuneigung zu Miss Mackenzie erfüllt. John Ball seinerseits ist eine etwas tragische Figur, ein Witwer von fünfzig Jahren, der mit sieben Kindern ein Auskommen sucht, das seiner gesellschaftlichen Stellung angemessen ist. Und der doch versteht, daß der Streit zwischen ihm und seiner Angebeteten ein Kampf mit ungleichen Mitteln ist.
Trollope beschreibt dem Leser ausführlich, wie wichtig das Geld ist, wie sehr es gesellschaftliche Stellung und Ansehen bestimmt, wie wesentlich es für die Planung der eigenen Zukunft ist. Und er beschreibt ebenso ausführlich, wie sich das Geld für die auswirkt, die es besitzen, bzw. was geschieht, wenn sie es nicht mehr besitzen. Und immer betrachtet er die Gesellschaft, die solche Konventionen hervorbringt. Dabei gelingen ihm Szenen, die den Leser wirklich zu lautem Lachen inspirieren. Eine Abendgesellschaft bei Miss Mackenzies Schwägerin wird durch einen tyrannischen Butler bestimmt, dessen Eigenart, wirklich jeden Teller selbst zu bestücken, dazu führt, daß das Essen ebenso kalt wie ungenießbar ist, als es endlich auf dem Tisch steht. Auch bei den Namen erlaubt sich Trollope einige Freizügigkeiten und Hinweise. Da tritt im Kreis der Kirchentreuen ein Mr. Frigidy auf, Miss Mackenzies erster Verehrer trägt den vielsagenden Namen Handcock, ein Anwalt heißt Mr. Slow – und genauso verübt er auch das Geschäft der Juristerei. Und auch Mr. Rubbs Namen darf getrost als „telling name“ betrachtet werden, sieht es doch zunächst und recht lange Zeit so aus, als wollte der junge Mann Miss Mackenzie lediglich um ihr Geld bringen.
Vielleicht ist MISS MACKENZIES MUT ZU LIEBEN nicht Trollopes bestes Werk, sicher nicht sein bekanntestes. Doch fasst es viel von dem zusammen, was sein Schreiben ausmacht. Hier wird geradezu exemplarisch vorgeführt, wie sein Blick auf die englische Gesellschaft gerichtet war, wie genau er beobachtete, aber auch, daß er eine durchaus Dickens nicht unähnliche Leidenschaft für seine Figuren hat, die er achtet und denen er nichts Arges wünscht. Die genaue Personenbeschreibung, die auch einen Schurken wie Mr. Maguire durchaus vielschichtig zeichnet und in der Lage ist, auch hinter frevlerischem Tun Verzweiflung zu erkennen, macht ein Buch wie dieses auch nahezu 150 Jahre nach seiner Erstveröffentlichung so lesenswert. Es ist ebenso eine literarische Unterhaltung erster Klasse, wie es ein lebensnaher Einblick in das viktorianische Zeitalter mit all seinen Vorgaben ist, der gesellschaftlichen Enge, voller unterdrückter Sexualität und strikter sozialer Kontrolle. Einen Roman wie diesen heute zu lesen, hat etwas von einer Zeitmaschine – und lässt uns einmal mehr die Kraft und ganze Potenz des Romans des 19. Jahrhunderts spüren.
November 1, 2020
Anthony Trollope was famously prolific: 47 novels, plus short stories, a few travel works and his Autobiography. The general wisdom on these seems to be that of those 47, only the two six-novel series (The Chronicles of Barsetshire and the Palliser novels) along with the free-standing He Knew He Was Right, The Way We Live Now and Orley Farm are worthy of the attention of twenty-first century readers. But because I have so thoroughly enjoyed every Trollope novel I have ever read (which is all fifteen of the above) I have recently been on the lookout for stray mentions or recommendations of possible new discoveries from the remaining 32 "lesser" novels. A week or so ago I saw an article in which Joanna Trollope recommended Miss Mackenzie, largely on the strength of title character's characterization...and couldn't resist.
I finished the book on Friday and am very pleased to say that I did enjoy it very much. Like most of Trollope's novels the strength of this one is in his eye for the telling behavioural detail. The plot (basically a "rags-to-riches, riches-to-rags" tale with a few unconventional twists thrown in) is not particularly remarkable in itself, but the characters certainly are. Margaret Mackenzie seems like a typically down-trodden "old maid" an unexpected inheritance allows her to test herself in larger, and psychologically riskier, social circles than were ever open to her in her first thirty-five years. Most remarkable of all, I thought, was that Trollope dared to (indirectly) write about his heroine's growing awareness of her own physical desires. Of course, the book was published in 1865 and Miss Mackenzie is nothing if not "respectable" but there is a remarkable section in which she considers herself in the mirror, and doesn't stop at mere appearance:
Not all of the book is this serious. Trollope's trademark interests are here in abundance: reprehensible "Low Church" clergymen, ponderous lawyers (the wonderfully named firm of Slow & Bideawhile, which also figures in He Knew He Was Right, plays a major role) and monstrous aristocrats. There is one of those chaotic, festive events which frequently occur near the ending of Trollope's books. In Miss Mackenzie it is a huge and rather disastrous charity bazaar where we catch glimpses of several characters that dedicated readers will have encountered elsewhere in the Trollopian universe: the Duchess of St Bungay from Can You Forgive Her?; the Marchioness of Hartletop, better known as Griselda Grantly, daughter of Archdeacon Grantly from the Barsetshire books; and last but not least, Lady Glencora Palliser herself. If you haven't read all the other books you lose nothing but if you are a fan, it's satisfying to be able to piece these "cameos" into your accumulated knowledge.
While it is probably not the equal of the best of the Barsetshire or Palliser series, I think Miss Mackenzie is very nearly as accomplished as Orley Farm or He Knew He Was Right (although it does lack the kind of unifying themes which enrich those works). Above all, especially if you are a Trollope fan but even if you're not, it is a deeply pleasurable book to read. Highly recommended.
I finished the book on Friday and am very pleased to say that I did enjoy it very much. Like most of Trollope's novels the strength of this one is in his eye for the telling behavioural detail. The plot (basically a "rags-to-riches, riches-to-rags" tale with a few unconventional twists thrown in) is not particularly remarkable in itself, but the characters certainly are. Margaret Mackenzie seems like a typically down-trodden "old maid" an unexpected inheritance allows her to test herself in larger, and psychologically riskier, social circles than were ever open to her in her first thirty-five years. Most remarkable of all, I thought, was that Trollope dared to (indirectly) write about his heroine's growing awareness of her own physical desires. Of course, the book was published in 1865 and Miss Mackenzie is nothing if not "respectable" but there is a remarkable section in which she considers herself in the mirror, and doesn't stop at mere appearance:
Thinking of this during the long afternoon … she got up and looked at herself in the mirror. She moved up her hair from off her ears, knowing where she would find a few that were grey, and shaking her head, as though owning to herself that she was old; but as her fingers ran almost involuntarily across her locks, her touch told her that they were soft and silken; and she looked into her own eyes, and saw that they were bright; and her hand touched the outline of her cheek, and she knew that something of the fresh bloom of youth was still there; and her lips parted, and there were her white teeth; and there came a smile, and a dimple, and a slight purpose of laughter in her eye and then a tear. She pulled her scarf tighter across her bosom, feeling her own form, and then she leaned forward and kissed herself in the glass.For its time, this is unusually candid in its sensual depiction of female desire. Equally interesting is the passage a few pages later which examines the flip-side of this moment:
She desired to be married, although she was troubled by some half-formed idea that it would be wicked. Who was she, that she should be allowed to be in love? Was she not an old maid by prescription, and, as it were, by the forces of ordained circumstances? Had it not been made very clear to her when she was young that she had not right to fall in love....And although in certain moments of ecstasy, as when she kissed herself in the glass, she almost taught herself to think that feminine charms and feminine privileges had not been all denied to her, such was not her permanent opinion of herself. She despised herself. Why, she knew not; and probably did not know that she did so. But in truth, she despised herself, thinking herself to be too mean for a man's love.I found this section really rather devastating: my heart went out to Margaret Mackenzie and at the same time it went out to all the many, many people I have known (including, in darker times of my life, myself) who have "despised themselves" and thought themselves unworthy of love. It's a common-enough human phenomenon, yet not one which every nineteenth-century male novelist would think to bestow upon a female character.
Not all of the book is this serious. Trollope's trademark interests are here in abundance: reprehensible "Low Church" clergymen, ponderous lawyers (the wonderfully named firm of Slow & Bideawhile, which also figures in He Knew He Was Right, plays a major role) and monstrous aristocrats. There is one of those chaotic, festive events which frequently occur near the ending of Trollope's books. In Miss Mackenzie it is a huge and rather disastrous charity bazaar where we catch glimpses of several characters that dedicated readers will have encountered elsewhere in the Trollopian universe: the Duchess of St Bungay from Can You Forgive Her?; the Marchioness of Hartletop, better known as Griselda Grantly, daughter of Archdeacon Grantly from the Barsetshire books; and last but not least, Lady Glencora Palliser herself. If you haven't read all the other books you lose nothing but if you are a fan, it's satisfying to be able to piece these "cameos" into your accumulated knowledge.
While it is probably not the equal of the best of the Barsetshire or Palliser series, I think Miss Mackenzie is very nearly as accomplished as Orley Farm or He Knew He Was Right (although it does lack the kind of unifying themes which enrich those works). Above all, especially if you are a Trollope fan but even if you're not, it is a deeply pleasurable book to read. Highly recommended.
January 26, 2019
At the age of thirty-six Margaret Mackenzie was still a young woman. She had resolved that she would not content herself with a lifeless life, such as those few who knew anything of her evidently expected from her….She would go into the world, and see if she could find any of those pleasantnesses of which she had read in books.
This is my first Trollope novel, and I found myself reading into the wee hours of the morning. He made me care so much about the idealistic and kind Miss Mackenzie, her adventures, and her search for true friendship and love. At the beginning of the novel we learn that she has devoted her life to the care of her ill brother until his death, to the exclusion of all other friendships. At the age of 36, she suddenly finds herself an heiress, “a lady” with freedom and wealth, but with no idea of how she may fit into the complicated class-driven society in which she lives. She has never been to a dinner party, never learned to dance, and has never even received a social call. She is pleased that she is “a lady” but doesn’t want her status to prevent her from making friends with good people of the working class.
But, then, might it not also be very well not to be a lady; and might not the advantages of the one position be compensated with equal advantages in the other? It is a grand thing to be a queen; but a queen has no friends. It is fine to be a princess; but a princess has a very limited choice of husbands.
So, she ventures forth “into the world”, moving from London to the town of Littlebath. There she meets varied and interesting characters: those who play cards and go to the “assembly rooms” to flirt and dance, and others who go to church three times every Sunday. She cares deeply about people and she wants to befriend ALL of them, so she tries to figure out how to accomplish this while maintaining her status as “a lady”. This is never a painful read because Miss Mackenzie’s kindness always wins the day and any little social transgressions that she commits are instantly forgiven her. Trollope treats his heroine sympathetically and never makes fun of her ignorance of social conventions, but instead makes fun of the tacit rules and class distinctions which are so baffling to her.
The minds of men and women become so tuned to certain positions, that they go astray and won't act when those positions are confused. Almost every man can talk for fifteen minutes, standing in a drawing-room, before dinner; but where is the man who can do it for an hour? It is not his appetite that impedes him, for he could well have borne to dine at eight instead of seven; nor is it that matter lacks him, for at other times his eloquence does not cease to flow so soon. But at that special point of the day he is supposed to talk for fifteen minutes, and if any prolonged call is then made upon him, his talking apparatus falls out of order and will not work.
To me, some of the passages even felt a bit Jane Austen-ish (my apologies, Janeites, if I'm wrong about this, as I probably am):
It was plain to be seen by the lady's face, as she entered the room, that some special cause had brought her now. It wore none of those pretty smiles with which morning callers greet their friends before they begin their first gentle attempts at miscellaneous conversation. It was true that she gave her hand to Miss Mackenzie, but she did even this with austerity; and when she seated herself,—not on the sofa as she was invited to do, but on one of the square, hard, straight-backed chairs,—Miss Mackenzie knew well that pleasantness was not to be the order of the morning.
And this passage seems a little Austenesque to me:
He presumed baronets to be rich people; but still they might very probably be as dogs in the manger, and desirous of preventing their relative from doing with her money that active service to humanity in general which would be done were she to marry a deserving clergyman who had nothing of his own.
I recommend this novel to folks who love Victorian literature that's infused with a little dry wit and gentle satire.
This is my first Trollope novel, and I found myself reading into the wee hours of the morning. He made me care so much about the idealistic and kind Miss Mackenzie, her adventures, and her search for true friendship and love. At the beginning of the novel we learn that she has devoted her life to the care of her ill brother until his death, to the exclusion of all other friendships. At the age of 36, she suddenly finds herself an heiress, “a lady” with freedom and wealth, but with no idea of how she may fit into the complicated class-driven society in which she lives. She has never been to a dinner party, never learned to dance, and has never even received a social call. She is pleased that she is “a lady” but doesn’t want her status to prevent her from making friends with good people of the working class.
But, then, might it not also be very well not to be a lady; and might not the advantages of the one position be compensated with equal advantages in the other? It is a grand thing to be a queen; but a queen has no friends. It is fine to be a princess; but a princess has a very limited choice of husbands.
So, she ventures forth “into the world”, moving from London to the town of Littlebath. There she meets varied and interesting characters: those who play cards and go to the “assembly rooms” to flirt and dance, and others who go to church three times every Sunday. She cares deeply about people and she wants to befriend ALL of them, so she tries to figure out how to accomplish this while maintaining her status as “a lady”. This is never a painful read because Miss Mackenzie’s kindness always wins the day and any little social transgressions that she commits are instantly forgiven her. Trollope treats his heroine sympathetically and never makes fun of her ignorance of social conventions, but instead makes fun of the tacit rules and class distinctions which are so baffling to her.
The minds of men and women become so tuned to certain positions, that they go astray and won't act when those positions are confused. Almost every man can talk for fifteen minutes, standing in a drawing-room, before dinner; but where is the man who can do it for an hour? It is not his appetite that impedes him, for he could well have borne to dine at eight instead of seven; nor is it that matter lacks him, for at other times his eloquence does not cease to flow so soon. But at that special point of the day he is supposed to talk for fifteen minutes, and if any prolonged call is then made upon him, his talking apparatus falls out of order and will not work.
To me, some of the passages even felt a bit Jane Austen-ish (my apologies, Janeites, if I'm wrong about this, as I probably am):
It was plain to be seen by the lady's face, as she entered the room, that some special cause had brought her now. It wore none of those pretty smiles with which morning callers greet their friends before they begin their first gentle attempts at miscellaneous conversation. It was true that she gave her hand to Miss Mackenzie, but she did even this with austerity; and when she seated herself,—not on the sofa as she was invited to do, but on one of the square, hard, straight-backed chairs,—Miss Mackenzie knew well that pleasantness was not to be the order of the morning.
And this passage seems a little Austenesque to me:
He presumed baronets to be rich people; but still they might very probably be as dogs in the manger, and desirous of preventing their relative from doing with her money that active service to humanity in general which would be done were she to marry a deserving clergyman who had nothing of his own.
I recommend this novel to folks who love Victorian literature that's infused with a little dry wit and gentle satire.
April 3, 2021
Trollope, a pesar de ser uno de los novelistas más leídos en la época victoriana, no es realmente un autor muy conocido en España. Y no sé por qué tras haber leído esta novela. Porque a pesar de no ser ni de lejos su obra más reconocida, nos encontramos ante una historia muy agradable sobre una mujer que no ha tenido vida propia, ya que durante años estuvo al cuidado de su padre y posteriormente de su hermano, que tras fallecer y dejarle una herencia, decide vivir al fin su vida, aunque los mejores años ya se le han pasado. Así seguiremos sus vivencias y aprenderemos junto a ella cómo era la vida social de la época, con sus incongruencias y cómo le van apareciendo pretendientes al saber que posee una buena dote.
Lo dicho, una novela muy agradable, bien escrita, con su dosis de crítica social y muestras de una mujer sencilla, buena, pero firme en sus convicciones, que adolece, desde mi punto de vista de un exceso de páginas en su parte final.
Un 7,5
Lo dicho, una novela muy agradable, bien escrita, con su dosis de crítica social y muestras de una mujer sencilla, buena, pero firme en sus convicciones, que adolece, desde mi punto de vista de un exceso de páginas en su parte final.
Un 7,5
November 12, 2025
La obra de Trollope es una critica profundo de las relaciones de poder, la clase social y la búsqueda de la autonomía femenina en un contexto histórico donde estos aspectos estaban rígidamente definidos por la fortuna y las normas sociales.
Marguerite siempre vivió dependiendo de su hermano y cuidándolo desde que enfermó hasta su muerte. El día de la lectura del testamento el hermano de Marguerite y ella acudieron a la lectura del testamento, ella suponiendo que todo se lo heredaría a su hermano, cuál fue su sorpresa que le heredera era ella.
de pronto era una mujer rica, que no dependía de nadie, ya los 36 años se dio cuenta que recibí atenciones que nunca había tenido. Adoptó a una de sus sobrinas, pagando su educación y haciéndose cargo de sus gastos.
Sin embargo la vida le puso pruebas, la primera un préstamo que le pidió a su hermano y su socio prometiendo garantías que no se podían cumplir. ella pensando en sus sobrinos no se enojó de la mentira y al contrario regaló ese dinero. El socio de su hermano la empieza a cortejar, dando a entender que necesito un nombre para poder administrar su dinero.
la segunda fue que al llegar al pueblo donde se iba a establecer, tuvo que escoger uno de los bandos sin libertad sino teniendo que pensar en el escarnio social y en la pertenencia a una religión. El pastor le presenta a su ayudante, el Sr Maguire un hombre con estrabismo y soltero. la corteja dándole a entender que necesito un hombre que la guía en la vida.
Marguerite visita a su familia, Lady Ball, y su primo John viudo y con siete hijos. la tía le comenta que sería bueno que se case con su hijo para que así tenga hijos y aprenda que es llevar una casa ya que ya su edad, 36 años, no podrá tenerlos.
tres hombres que solo quieren casarse con ella por su dinero que está arriba de lo valioso que se lleva como persona.
El abogado de margarit descubre que el dinero que le fue heredado pertenece a su Primo Ball, como consecuencia de un robo que sucedió muchos años antes. así como de un día a otro llego a ser rica de la misma manera de un día a otro volvió a no tener nada. la relación con su primo los acercó y él con dinero y ella sin él llegaron a un acuerdo para poderse casar supuestamente por amor.
sin embargo la ambición del pastor lo llevó a publicar una historia y hacer pública la vida de marketing ya que él tiene la ilusión de que regresando el dinero ella lo aceptará como esposo y así él podrá tener otra posición en la curia. todos son confusiones y malentendidos hasta que se resuelven las cosas, con la boda De John y Marguerite.
una novela que critica a los hombres que siempre buscan su comodidad, que son egoístas, soberbios en una época donde se creía que la mujer no podía ser independiente y tomar decisiones tanto de vida como de cuestiones económicas.
Marguerite siempre vivió dependiendo de su hermano y cuidándolo desde que enfermó hasta su muerte. El día de la lectura del testamento el hermano de Marguerite y ella acudieron a la lectura del testamento, ella suponiendo que todo se lo heredaría a su hermano, cuál fue su sorpresa que le heredera era ella.
de pronto era una mujer rica, que no dependía de nadie, ya los 36 años se dio cuenta que recibí atenciones que nunca había tenido. Adoptó a una de sus sobrinas, pagando su educación y haciéndose cargo de sus gastos.
Sin embargo la vida le puso pruebas, la primera un préstamo que le pidió a su hermano y su socio prometiendo garantías que no se podían cumplir. ella pensando en sus sobrinos no se enojó de la mentira y al contrario regaló ese dinero. El socio de su hermano la empieza a cortejar, dando a entender que necesito un nombre para poder administrar su dinero.
la segunda fue que al llegar al pueblo donde se iba a establecer, tuvo que escoger uno de los bandos sin libertad sino teniendo que pensar en el escarnio social y en la pertenencia a una religión. El pastor le presenta a su ayudante, el Sr Maguire un hombre con estrabismo y soltero. la corteja dándole a entender que necesito un hombre que la guía en la vida.
Marguerite visita a su familia, Lady Ball, y su primo John viudo y con siete hijos. la tía le comenta que sería bueno que se case con su hijo para que así tenga hijos y aprenda que es llevar una casa ya que ya su edad, 36 años, no podrá tenerlos.
tres hombres que solo quieren casarse con ella por su dinero que está arriba de lo valioso que se lleva como persona.
El abogado de margarit descubre que el dinero que le fue heredado pertenece a su Primo Ball, como consecuencia de un robo que sucedió muchos años antes. así como de un día a otro llego a ser rica de la misma manera de un día a otro volvió a no tener nada. la relación con su primo los acercó y él con dinero y ella sin él llegaron a un acuerdo para poderse casar supuestamente por amor.
sin embargo la ambición del pastor lo llevó a publicar una historia y hacer pública la vida de marketing ya que él tiene la ilusión de que regresando el dinero ella lo aceptará como esposo y así él podrá tener otra posición en la curia. todos son confusiones y malentendidos hasta que se resuelven las cosas, con la boda De John y Marguerite.
una novela que critica a los hombres que siempre buscan su comodidad, que son egoístas, soberbios en una época donde se creía que la mujer no podía ser independiente y tomar decisiones tanto de vida como de cuestiones económicas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2019
After a diet of grim and grimmer books, and in spite of the fact that my "Currently Reading" list is unmanageable, I decided to find a Trollope novel and settle in with some literary comfort food.
Let me be clear: I love Anthony Trollope. He makes me laugh aloud, and nod my head in appreciation. But. This book was a bit dull; I plodded, believing in vain there would be a "surprise!!" ending.
While I'm sure I will never pick it up again, I don't regret reading it.
I can't figure out what it even means, but I love this sentence: Yet she was not a tuftholder, nor a toady.
Trollope often takes aim at clergy gone bad...or clergy wives gone bad. I give you Mrs. Stumfold.
Let me be clear: I love Anthony Trollope. He makes me laugh aloud, and nod my head in appreciation. But. This book was a bit dull; I plodded, believing in vain there would be a "surprise!!" ending.
While I'm sure I will never pick it up again, I don't regret reading it.
I can't figure out what it even means, but I love this sentence: Yet she was not a tuftholder, nor a toady.
Trollope often takes aim at clergy gone bad...or clergy wives gone bad. I give you Mrs. Stumfold.
So that, though the absolute fact of Mrs Stumfold being dust, and grass, and worms, could not, in regard to the consistency of things, be denied, yet in her dustiness, grassiness, and worminess she was so little dusty, grassy, and wormy, that it was hardly fair, even in herself, to mention the fact at all.
March 20, 2018
Rather sweet, and quite a bit shorter than the usual Trollope novel, with correspondingly fewer characters. Perhaps this may serve as a good place to start and see if you like his style: the writing and atmosphere are essentially the same.
What characters there are, though, are vividly drawn, sometimes brought before our eyes only in a couple of sentences. I especially liked the main topic Trollope considers here: the social and cultural pressures driving women to marriage, even where no romantic feelings and inclinations are present. He could never at any time be considered a feminist thinker, but in the understanding and appreciation of women I think he was very well advanced for his time.
Perhaps the last third of the novel may be a little strung out, but altogether I would recommend this if you like the literature of the period.
What characters there are, though, are vividly drawn, sometimes brought before our eyes only in a couple of sentences. I especially liked the main topic Trollope considers here: the social and cultural pressures driving women to marriage, even where no romantic feelings and inclinations are present. He could never at any time be considered a feminist thinker, but in the understanding and appreciation of women I think he was very well advanced for his time.
Perhaps the last third of the novel may be a little strung out, but altogether I would recommend this if you like the literature of the period.
March 8, 2020
This is by no means “light reading”, but it is a treat throughout. Much of Trollope's language is antiquated, with words I could not find in a dictionary. His writing is very profound and involved. Nothing in this book is left unresolved, with very detailed explicit explanations of actions, activities and descriptions of individuals.
This is the story of Margaret MacKenzie, the only daughter in her family, who spent her early adult life nursing first her dying Father, next her dying brother and later another dying brother. Fortunately one of her brothers left his entire fortune to her in his will- a rare happening for women in those days. Much of the book involves what happens to this money. Although she is clever and resourceful, she could best be described as unsophisticated and unassuming, but she learns.
Miss Mackenzie, a single woman in her mid-thirties, who receives this large inheritance, must then deal with what comes with the fortune, including several suitors, who may, or may not, simply be after her money. She has to pick her way through this romantic minefield, not knowing who is the best suitor and whether each man wants to marry her for her fortune rather than love. Her wish is simply to find true love. However, complications abound when it is discovered that the fortune does not belong to Margaret after all but to her cousin, John Ball. The financial assistance she has given to her brother’s family can continue no longer and also, what is to become of Miss Mackenzie?
Anthony Trollope has created a wonderful heroine in Miss Mackenzie. Although she is not a very young lady, her modesty, kindness and dignity is apparent to the reader.There is genuine delight after the complex difficulties she must experience. The author has presented a very clear picture of the social mores and relationships of this period (written in 1865).
In addition to my preceding review, to give readers a taste of Trollope's humor and whimsy, I made note of the names of his many characters and how well they were suited to their roles. The following are some examples:
The Stumfolds, Reverend and Mrs.; Mr.Startup, a talkative preacher; Mr. Frigidy, intended bishop; Miss Fleebody; Miss Trotter;Miss Dumpus, sister-in-law of Miss Crammer the school mistress; Dr. & Mrs. Slumpy; Mr. Slow a lawyer; Mr. Bideawile, lawyer. There are more, but this demonstrates the flavor of the attitudes toward the people.
NOTE
On occasion, Trollope has referred to Miss Mackenzie as Griselda. Griselda, also called Patient Griselda, is the character of romance in medieval and Renaissance Europe, noted for her enduring patience and wifely obedience. She was the heroine of the last tale in the Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio, who derived the story from a French source.
This is the story of Margaret MacKenzie, the only daughter in her family, who spent her early adult life nursing first her dying Father, next her dying brother and later another dying brother. Fortunately one of her brothers left his entire fortune to her in his will- a rare happening for women in those days. Much of the book involves what happens to this money. Although she is clever and resourceful, she could best be described as unsophisticated and unassuming, but she learns.
Miss Mackenzie, a single woman in her mid-thirties, who receives this large inheritance, must then deal with what comes with the fortune, including several suitors, who may, or may not, simply be after her money. She has to pick her way through this romantic minefield, not knowing who is the best suitor and whether each man wants to marry her for her fortune rather than love. Her wish is simply to find true love. However, complications abound when it is discovered that the fortune does not belong to Margaret after all but to her cousin, John Ball. The financial assistance she has given to her brother’s family can continue no longer and also, what is to become of Miss Mackenzie?
Anthony Trollope has created a wonderful heroine in Miss Mackenzie. Although she is not a very young lady, her modesty, kindness and dignity is apparent to the reader.There is genuine delight after the complex difficulties she must experience. The author has presented a very clear picture of the social mores and relationships of this period (written in 1865).
In addition to my preceding review, to give readers a taste of Trollope's humor and whimsy, I made note of the names of his many characters and how well they were suited to their roles. The following are some examples:
The Stumfolds, Reverend and Mrs.; Mr.Startup, a talkative preacher; Mr. Frigidy, intended bishop; Miss Fleebody; Miss Trotter;Miss Dumpus, sister-in-law of Miss Crammer the school mistress; Dr. & Mrs. Slumpy; Mr. Slow a lawyer; Mr. Bideawile, lawyer. There are more, but this demonstrates the flavor of the attitudes toward the people.
NOTE
On occasion, Trollope has referred to Miss Mackenzie as Griselda. Griselda, also called Patient Griselda, is the character of romance in medieval and Renaissance Europe, noted for her enduring patience and wifely obedience. She was the heroine of the last tale in the Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio, who derived the story from a French source.
January 16, 2011
'Miss Mackenzie' by Anthony Trollope was the runner-up in Radio 4's 'Neglected Classics' vote. The novel was championed by Joanna Trollope who will be appearing on 'Open Book' to talk about the story in the very same week the Classic Serial begins the broadcast of Part One.
It is indeed a neglected gem of a novel. Miss Mackenzie is a single woman in her mid-thirties who receives a large inheritance when her brother dies. She must then deal with what comes with the fortune, including several suitors, who may, or, may not, simply be after her money.
Margaret decides to rent a small house in Littlebath and takes her surviving brother Tom's daughter with her as her ward. Tom and his wife, Sarah, are horrified that they have been left no money, especially as they find themselves in financial difficulties. Margaret Mackenzie's suitors include: her brother's junior partner, Mr. Rubb, a handsome young man but 'in trade'; her cousin, John Ball, a widowed father of seven. John is a gentle soul, who lives with his ailing father and his supercilious mother, Lady Ball; and the oleaginous Mr. Maguire, a curate in Littlebath. Unfortunately Mr. Maguire has a rather terrifying squint.
Miss Mackenzie has to pick her way through this romantic minefield, not knowing who is the best suitor and whether each man wants to marry her for her fortune rather than love. Her wish is simply to find true love. However, storm clouds gather when it is discovered that the fortune does not belong to Margaret after all but to her cousin, John Ball. The financial assistance she has given to her brother's family can continue no longer and also, what is to become of Miss Mackenzie?
Anthony Trollope has created a wonderful heroine in Miss Mackenzie. Although past the bloom of youth, her modesty, kindness and dignity will endear her to the listener and there is genuine delight when John Ball, against his mother's wishes, declares his love for Margaret and asks her to marry him.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x8...
It is indeed a neglected gem of a novel. Miss Mackenzie is a single woman in her mid-thirties who receives a large inheritance when her brother dies. She must then deal with what comes with the fortune, including several suitors, who may, or, may not, simply be after her money.
Margaret decides to rent a small house in Littlebath and takes her surviving brother Tom's daughter with her as her ward. Tom and his wife, Sarah, are horrified that they have been left no money, especially as they find themselves in financial difficulties. Margaret Mackenzie's suitors include: her brother's junior partner, Mr. Rubb, a handsome young man but 'in trade'; her cousin, John Ball, a widowed father of seven. John is a gentle soul, who lives with his ailing father and his supercilious mother, Lady Ball; and the oleaginous Mr. Maguire, a curate in Littlebath. Unfortunately Mr. Maguire has a rather terrifying squint.
Miss Mackenzie has to pick her way through this romantic minefield, not knowing who is the best suitor and whether each man wants to marry her for her fortune rather than love. Her wish is simply to find true love. However, storm clouds gather when it is discovered that the fortune does not belong to Margaret after all but to her cousin, John Ball. The financial assistance she has given to her brother's family can continue no longer and also, what is to become of Miss Mackenzie?
Anthony Trollope has created a wonderful heroine in Miss Mackenzie. Although past the bloom of youth, her modesty, kindness and dignity will endear her to the listener and there is genuine delight when John Ball, against his mother's wishes, declares his love for Margaret and asks her to marry him.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x8...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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